Announcements
This Wednesday is Wacky Hat Day!
This Friday is our Halloween Dance! Pick up your tickets early at lunch for $6. Students may wear costumes to the dance, but not to school this Friday. Costumes can be worn at school the following Friday, Oct. 30th. Students' costumes must still be appropriate according to dress code. Masks and anything covering the face will not be permitted.
Tell us what you'd like to eat at the Halloween Dance. Go to iMiddle --> iMiddle Advisory --> October --> Week 7 to find this link. Pick the top 3 choices you prefer: Halloween Dance Food Survey
Today's Focus: Using Failure to Succeed
Is success measured only through achieving your goals? Is failure valuable in learning how to succeed? And for that matter, what is failure? Some people would argue that success can only be achieved through failure. Let's listen to John Legend talk about how his failures have been valuable to his career:
According to John Legend, what is the value of failing at what you love to do?
For how many years did John Legend say that he sought out a record deal?
Was that too much time? Explain why or why not.
What did he learn from all those rejections from record labels?
If someone said to you that failure was actually part of succeeding, would you think they were crazy? Well, then call this guy crazy: Video Link
Consider Michael Jordan's statement: "I failed over and over and over in my life- that's why I succeeded." How is this statement different than "I failed"?
Review the THREE principles that Eduardo Zanatta pointed out as principles of success. Do you agree with these principles? Explain.
Don't quit too early.
There's no such thing as failure.
The past does not equal the future.
Here at iMiddle we know that failing is a part of the learning process. Now that we are beginning a new marking period, we have each experienced some successes and failures in our learning process. Take minute to reflect (privately) about some of the fails you experienced. Are they keeping you from succeeding? Are you quitting? Or are you using these to fuel your success?
Sometimes we all need some encouragement on our way to success. Come up with a positive phrase of encouragement that you could share with a classmate if you saw them struggling. You can use the three principles for inspiration. Go ahead and share this comment with the person sitting next to you now.
SKYHAWK CARD CHALLENGE: Lookout for other opportunities to encourage yourself and each other to succeed this week. Students who consistently use words of encouragement have a better chance of earning a SKYHAWK CARD.
Terrific Tuesday
Announcements
Congratulations to all of the 1st period classes who completed the "DONUT BE LATE" challenge. The phrase to complete for this quarter will be "DOUGHNUT BE TARDY." Teachers, be sure to update this phrase in your classroom.
The Library is open today after school from 3:00 to 4:00 for students who want to work on homework and earn better grades. For a full listing of teachers' tutoring schedules come see Mrs. G in the Counseling Center.
Tomorrow is Wacky Hat Day.
All Students to complete today: Grade Checks and ZAP Passes 1. Students: log into Powerschool and have a pencil ready. Once you receive a ZAP Pass from your teacher, fill out the top portion, including:
your first and last name
ID number
ADVISORY room number
7th PERIOD room number
2. Then check your classes in Powerschool. Write down your current grade on the ZAP Pass and record any missing assignments you have in each class in the chart on the ZAP Pass.
3. Count how many missing assignments you have and write down that number. If you are missing 2 or more assignments, put a check mark in the box.
4. Give your ZAP Pass to your Advisory Teacher. (Teachers, return all passes to Ms. Paige's mailbox in the office today.
6th Grade:
Today's Focus: Introduction to "This Way to Good Grades" For the next several weeks, all iMiddle students in the 6th Grade will focus on developing and improving six skills that can lead to academic success using an online program called, "This Way to Good Grades." Last week we discussed the benefits of earning good grades and what resources and skills we might need to earn good grades. Let's take a look now at at the modules included in our online program.
Students will want to bookmark this website for quick access. Everyone will use the same username and password to log-in each week. To log-in, click on the link: This Way to Good Grades
Username: imiddle
Password: skyhawks
Once you open the program, briefly navigate through the Introduction section together as a class. Then click on the Actions & Attitudes module in the lower right hand corner. Students are encouraged to begin working through this section independently first.
7th Grade:
Today's Focus: What kinds of colleges are in the state of California.
Does anyone know how many different types of colleges there are in California?
There are about seven different types of colleges in California. These include:
Community Colleges - 2 year programs where you can get your Associate's degree
Cal State University - funded by the CA and federal government
University of California - funded by the CA and federal government
Private colleges - which are not funded by the CA government, but by donors and alumni
Trade colleges - which focus on specific "trades" like cosmetology or electrician training
Parochial schools - have some sort of affiliation to an organized religion
Liberal Arts colleges - which have a specific focus on how they train their students
Check out this video to learn more about a website linked to colleges and careers in California
Video Link
As you saw in the video, the website provides specific information for middle school students too. It's never to early to start gathering information, even if you're not sure what you're looking for.
Now, use either the California Colleges website or do some google searching to complete the following scavenger hunt. Work in groups of two or three and have one piece of paper for your group to write down your answers. Ready? Go!
1. How many Community Colleges are there in the state of California?
2. How many University of California campuses are there?
3. How many Cal State campuses are there?
4. Name two universities in the state of California are well-known for their pre-veterinary or veterinary programs.
5. Name two universities in the stat of California that are well-known for their engineering programs.
6. What does it mean to be a liberal arts college?
7. Name three examples of private colleges in California
8. Name three examples of parochial schools in California
Teachers: please reveal answers after students have completed their scavenger hunt.
Bonus Challenge (If time permits): Following up from yesterday's discussion, we need iMiddle students to put on their thinking hats and create an encouraging slogan based on the idea of using our failures to succeed. See what the class can come up with today. Teachers can email ideas to Mrs. G.
Wacky Wednesday Announcements Watch this week's iMiddle News
Don't forget: This Friday is our Halloween Dance! Pick up your tickets early at lunch for $6. Students may wear costumes to the dance, but not to school this Friday. Costumes can be worn at school the following Friday, Oct. 30th. Students' costumes must still be appropriate according to dress code. Masks and anything covering the face will not be permitted.
Thinking Thursday
Announcements The Library is open today after school from 3:00 to 4:00 for students who want to work on homework.
Don't forget: Tomorrow is our Halloween Dance! Pick up your tickets early at lunch for $6. You may wear a costume to the dance, but not to school. No masks or anything else that covers the Masks and anything covering the face will not be permitted.
All students with a ZAP PASS should come to the Library to ZAP their zeroes now.
Genius Hour: Let's Research!
Each group researches their own two or three questions that they put on the class chart that we started last week.
Student’s research using Google search and fill in the "L" column.
Discuss how to keep track of their info, to keep track of sources, and so they can share it later.
Students can use Google pictochart to share what they found.
Today's Focus:
Future Focused Friday
Announcements All students with a ZAP PASS should come to the Library at the end of 7th period. If your ZAP pass is signed, turn it in so you can be released. If your ZAP pass is not signed, prepare to work on any missing assignments until 4:00.
The Halloween Dance is tonight from 5:00-7:00! If you wear a costume it must still meet our dress code policies. Make sure you bring your ticket!
Today's Focus: Genius Hour Research Continued...
Today we will be continuing where we left off yesterday in our group research.
Students with PAC Cards that have no warnings and tardies from this week may go to lunch 5 minutes early today.
iMiddle Monday
AnnouncementsThis Wednesday is Wacky Hat Day!
This Friday is our Halloween Dance! Pick up your tickets early at lunch for $6. Students may wear costumes to the dance, but not to school this Friday. Costumes can be worn at school the following Friday, Oct. 30th. Students' costumes must still be appropriate according to dress code. Masks and anything covering the face will not be permitted.
Tell us what you'd like to eat at the Halloween Dance. Go to iMiddle --> iMiddle Advisory --> October --> Week 7 to find this link. Pick the top 3 choices you prefer:
Halloween Dance Food Survey
Today's Focus: Using Failure to Succeed
Is success measured only through achieving your goals? Is failure valuable in learning how to succeed? And for that matter, what is failure? Some people would argue that success can only be achieved through failure. Let's listen to John Legend talk about how his failures have been valuable to his career:
Video Link
Discussion:
If someone said to you that failure was actually part of succeeding, would you think they were crazy? Well, then call this guy crazy:
Video Link
Here at iMiddle we know that failing is a part of the learning process. Now that we are beginning a new marking period, we have each experienced some successes and failures in our learning process. Take minute to reflect (privately) about some of the fails you experienced. Are they keeping you from succeeding? Are you quitting? Or are you using these to fuel your success?
Sometimes we all need some encouragement on our way to success. Come up with a positive phrase of encouragement that you could share with a classmate if you saw them struggling. You can use the three principles for inspiration. Go ahead and share this comment with the person sitting next to you now.
SKYHAWK CARD CHALLENGE: Lookout for other opportunities to encourage yourself and each other to succeed this week. Students who consistently use words of encouragement have a better chance of earning a SKYHAWK CARD.
Terrific Tuesday
AnnouncementsAll Students to complete today: Grade Checks and ZAP Passes
- your first and last name
- ID number
- ADVISORY room number
- 7th PERIOD room number
2. Then check your classes in Powerschool. Write down your current grade on the ZAP Pass and record any missing assignments you have in each class in the chart on the ZAP Pass.3. Count how many missing assignments you have and write down that number. If you are missing 2 or more assignments, put a check mark in the box.
4. Give your ZAP Pass to your Advisory Teacher. (Teachers, return all passes to Ms. Paige's mailbox in the office today.
6th Grade:
Today's Focus: Introduction to "This Way to Good Grades"For the next several weeks, all iMiddle students in the 6th Grade will focus on developing and improving six skills that can lead to academic success using an online program called, "This Way to Good Grades." Last week we discussed the benefits of earning good grades and what resources and skills we might need to earn good grades. Let's take a look now at at the modules included in our online program.
Students will want to bookmark this website for quick access. Everyone will use the same username and password to log-in each week. To log-in, click on the link: This Way to Good Grades
Username: imiddle
Password: skyhawks
Once you open the program, briefly navigate through the Introduction section together as a class.
Then click on the Actions & Attitudes module in the lower right hand corner. Students are encouraged to begin working through this section independently first.
7th Grade:
Today's Focus: What kinds of colleges are in the state of California.Does anyone know how many different types of colleges there are in California?
There are about seven different types of colleges in California. These include:
Check out this video to learn more about a website linked to colleges and careers in California
Video Link
As you saw in the video, the website provides specific information for middle school students too. It's never to early to start gathering information, even if you're not sure what you're looking for.
Now, use either the California Colleges website or do some google searching to complete the following scavenger hunt. Work in groups of two or three and have one piece of paper for your group to write down your answers. Ready? Go!
1. How many Community Colleges are there in the state of California?
2. How many University of California campuses are there?
3. How many Cal State campuses are there?
4. Name two universities in the state of California are well-known for their pre-veterinary or veterinary programs.
5. Name two universities in the stat of California that are well-known for their engineering programs.
6. What does it mean to be a liberal arts college?
7. Name three examples of private colleges in California
8. Name three examples of parochial schools in California
Teachers: please reveal answers after students have completed their scavenger hunt.
8th Grade:
Today's Focus:
Check out the Channel One News segments for today, 10/20/15 here
Teachers: pause the video clips where discussion questions are posted to allow time for discussion. Watch all 3 video segments for today.
Bonus Challenge (If time permits): Following up from yesterday's discussion, we need iMiddle students to put on their thinking hats and create an encouraging slogan based on the idea of using our failures to succeed. See what the class can come up with today. Teachers can email ideas to Mrs. G.
Wacky Wednesday
Announcements
Watch this week's iMiddle News
Don't forget: This Friday is our Halloween Dance! Pick up your tickets early at lunch for $6. Students may wear costumes to the dance, but not to school this Friday. Costumes can be worn at school the following Friday, Oct. 30th. Students' costumes must still be appropriate according to dress code. Masks and anything covering the face will not be permitted.
Thinking Thursday
AnnouncementsThe Library is open today after school from 3:00 to 4:00 for students who want to work on homework.
Don't forget: Tomorrow is our Halloween Dance! Pick up your tickets early at lunch for $6. You may wear a costume to the dance, but not to school. No masks or anything else that covers the Masks and anything covering the face will not be permitted.
All students with a ZAP PASS should come to the Library to ZAP their zeroes now.
Genius Hour: Let's Research!
Today's Focus:
Future Focused Friday
AnnouncementsAll students with a ZAP PASS should come to the Library at the end of 7th period. If your ZAP pass is signed, turn it in so you can be released. If your ZAP pass is not signed, prepare to work on any missing assignments until 4:00.
The Halloween Dance is tonight from 5:00-7:00! If you wear a costume it must still meet our dress code policies. Make sure you bring your ticket!
Today's Focus: Genius Hour Research Continued...
Today we will be continuing where we left off yesterday in our group research.
Students with PAC Cards that have no warnings and tardies from this week may go to lunch 5 minutes early today.